Lawmakers hear support for $8.75 million in lottery bonds for Williams and Russell business hub in Albina

Salem, Ore. — Lawmakers heard broad support March 20 for Senate Bill 11‑10, which would authorize the state treasurer, at the request of the Department of Administrative Services, to issue lottery bonds yielding $8,750,000 in net proceeds and interest earnings to fund the Williams and Russell business hub in Portland’s Albina neighborhood.

The funds would be transferred to the Department of Administrative Services for distribution to Williams and Russell CDC to develop office and retail space, professional development and workforce training capacity, and other small‑business supports on the Hill Block. Committee staff described the measure as a targeted lottery bond authorization; the bonds must be issued by June 30, 2026 if the measure is enacted.

Supporters called the project a restorative investment. “This funding is a crucial step and a long overdue effort to restore economic opportunity and justice to a community that has faced decades of displacement,” said Representative Travis Nelson, who represents North and Northeast Portland.

Why it matters: Witnesses framed the project as a community‑led reconstruction of economic infrastructure after decades of displacement and vacancy. Speakers said the site, condemned and left vacant in the 1970s during hospital expansion, is now being returned to community stewardship for housing, a business hub and other uses.

Project details presented to the committee: Williams and Russell CDC and partners are developing three linked components on the 1.7‑acre site — a business hub, affordable rental housing and homeownership townhomes. The total project cost for all three components was presented as $129,000,000; the Black Business Hub portion is estimated at $34,000,000. Witnesses said project partners had already secured city funds, federal and philanthropic support, and other grants, and that the requested $8,750,000 would complete the funding package for the business hub portion.

Azalea Renfield, executive director of Williams and Russell CDC, told the committee the CDC is developing 85 affordable one‑ to two‑bedroom rental units with an on‑site daycare, 20 affordable townhomes for homeownership and a 30,000‑square‑foot business hub to support entrepreneurs and workforce training. Bryson Davis, president of Williams and Russell CDC, said the hub reflects seven years of community organizing and expressed the project as a model for community‑led development.

Prosper Portland confirmed a city commitment of $12,400,000 toward site cleanup and hub development. Anya Lejalova, CEO of ADRE and the project’s development partner, said the business hub will use mass timber construction to reduce embodied carbon and support local forest economies; she noted a USDA Wood Innovations grant awarded to the project.

Longtime residents and former business owners also testified. Paul Knauls recounted operating a restaurant and other businesses on the block before its demolition and urged support so new generations could build generational wealth.

Action and next steps: The committee closed the public hearing. Committee leadership indicated an intention to move the measure to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for budgetary consideration, but no formal referral vote was recorded in the transcript. If the bill proceeds, the state treasurer would issue the bonds and the Department of Administrative Services would distribute proceeds to the CDC for the business hub.

Supporters told the committee the request represents a comparatively small share of the project’s total cost — roughly 7 percent of the $129 million combined package — and that private and philanthropic investments are already committed. Witnesses asked legislators to view the bond request as an investment in restorative economic development for North and Northeast Portland.